Monday, December 12, 2011

Life As We Know It

First, apologies for being a lousy visitor and thanks to those who still bother to slip by here. I think about you often but travel there rarely. Then you know where to find me. I'm an email, Facebook and Twitter whore so no excuses.

My daughter is in South America and spending her first Christmas away, travelling next week to London to meet her boyfriend then Scotland for New Year then...Spain and who knows, her travel plans are 'fluid' to say the least but thanks to Skype I can almost keep up. She'll be home in February and the urge to squeeze the life out of her is palpable. My boy turned 25 this year. Yep, the curly haired angelic blonde now a big boofhead with the funniest personality and the most awesome of bear hugs.

Apartment living has taken its toll and the prospect of playing acoustic drums in his living room no longer a reality. So..sell the kit and buy an electronic set which requires the use of headphones rather than the smash of wood on skin and a physically robust mother to help unload the Landscaper's gear and make the ute worthy of an instrument carrier. God bless him, gadget man is in heaven. Poverty on both sides meant no huge celebration but we did have a lovely day of cocktails, summer storms, drums and Christmas cheesy flicks. Did I tell you I love my son? Apart from the fact that he drops in and uses the last of my toilet paper, dumps 25 plants that I don't need and leaves the lid off the cordial bottle so that the ants crawl in and die a syrupy death. He is a fine young man.

Dog's well with two titanium knees. Daughter's adventuring and badly missed Work is paying the bills. Almost. Still harbouring the dream of travelling I80 late next year with a to boy three dogs and two cats and hopefully picking up a madman who lives in one of those states beginning with 'I' and I can't find my Christmas tree so Chez Bainbridge is a little dour but some sparkles to remind me that Christmas is only two weeks away. So...my life in a nutshell.

Sunday with Adam and the 'other' Mrs Bainbridge was lovely. French Apero and cocktails punctuated by the rubbery thud of Ads smashing the bejesus out of electronic drums and finished nicely with Baileys on ice, Citroen Tart (Lemon not a French blonde in a car) and Cheesy Christmas movies...it's the simple things that thrill. Summer has deserted us and it's 24 degrees and very, very wet. But Christmas is coming and someone's goose is getting fat. Wising you all the very best of the season. Next post will probably be our Christmas in which we have to dress as superheroes and endure the alcoholic temptations of mad Lithuanians. Any ideas for a quick costume that costs zip and can be run up in a day?

Hey, Hels, good to "see" you again. I haven't seen much of you in my Facebook feed, either (I don't do Twitter, I think it's an idiotic invention and it's name involving the word "twit" is amazingly descriptive). I do seem to remember wishing you a Happy Birthday on your Wall sometime this year, though!

Sounds like life is moving along. Tell Adam he's following in great footsteps taking up electronic drums; one of the world's best drummers - Bill Bruford - has been using them since they first appeared in the '80s.

what a year of transitions for you, hells. i always think the hardest part of turning a corner is knowing what's behind but not knowing what's ahead. but that will come and it will be good. i am 100% confident. (consistent, aren't i?)

I detect a little sadness there Baino. Things are much different for you now the kids aren't home. But it's good to see you posting again, welcome back. I'm wondering what superhero you choose to be, Wonder Woman? i can hardly wait to see photos of the costume.

You can easily go as Wonder Women Hell B because clearly you ARE the REAL wonder woman and therefore don't need to dress up at all! I have a Wonder Woman Tee if you wan't to borrow it - it definitely has magic powers - it got me through a home birthday party with 26 (!) screaming 7 year olds in my house bcause it was pouring rain outside! Go wonder Women go! On second thoughts, i should have borrowed your magic lassoo to keep them under control...

Sounds like a great Christmas, and the bit about the drums gave me a shot of nostalgia - Son No. 2 kept a drum kit up in his bedroom, but moving out soon had him changing over to electronic drums plus headphones!! Still, he has his original drumkit with him now, at last, and I have my spare room back. LOL!

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